Boss Beaming After Late "Buzz"

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Alan Pardew was delighted to see St. James' Park "buzzing" again, following Newcastle United's victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Magpies ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Loic Remy's last-gasp strike, ending a run of just one triumph since Boxing Day.

The Tyneside stadium came to life in the closing stages, sparked into voice by a superb Mike Williamson challenge at one end of the pitch, which laid the foundations for United's late attacking surge.

And Pardew believes a 50,000-plus crowd played their part in securing three big Barclays Premier League points.

"We probably just did enough and it was nice to see the stadium buzzing at the end, because the fans have been very, very patient with us and not had lots to cheer recently," Pardew told nufcTV.

"It was a strange moment that lifted the crowd - Willo's interception - and suddenly the fans went mad.

"You could see it mentally lift us and it was a part of that spell we had at the end, when we were better.

"That goal was so important for this Club, to get some momentum back because we had lost it. It was a big, big result."

Having conceded ten goals in their previous three outings, United shut up shop against the Villans for a welcome clean sheet.

Unsurprisingly, it coincided with the return of captain Fabricio Coloccini, who had been out for seven weeks with a knee injury.

And Pardew believes his skipper will continue to improve over the coming weeks.

"(Coloccini) wasn't fit and probably shouldn't have played, but I played him because of his presence and calmness," the manager explained.

"It was great to have him back, he will be fitter next week and even more influential.

"We had a tricky spell in the first half but overcame that and didn't concede.

"The back four were very strong, disciplined and that gives you a platform to win the game."

To watch Alan Pardew's nufcTV post-match interview in full, click here.